Women and Peacebuilding

A strategic priority in Search for Common Ground’s programs is to increase women’s leadership for peacebuilding. Working with local partners, SFCG tailors its programs for women to what is effective in each country, and stresses journalism, leadership training, personal coaching and mentoring of emerging female leaders and positive role models in radio and television programs.

Women Building Peace in Media and Community Groups

SFCG produces local broadcast programs that feature women in leadership roles, providing models of inclusion and empowerment.  For example:

• Women mediators play a major role in promoting reconciliation, dialogue and collaboration at local and regional levels.

• Women trained as radio reporters for report election coverage.

• Women are cast in leadership roles in radio and TV dramas.

• SFCG focuses on women’s issues, including discrimination and gender violence, in broadcast programs and its work with local community groups in the Congo, among other African countries.

Women Building Peace as Opinion Leaders

Each week Common Ground News Service distributes ten essays exploring common ground between the West and the Muslim world.  These articles are republished in print and internet news sources in six languages all around the world.  Recognizing that women are equal stakeholders in better Muslim-Western relations, as well as their power to influence opinions, Common Ground News seeks out their contributions.

• Women write nearly 50% of Common Ground News Service articles.

• Articles about women and women's rights organizations in the Muslim world and the West are very popular, averaging over 35 reprints per piece.

Women Building Peace in Politics

SFCG is working with governments, women’s organizations, and individuals to expand women’s political participation throughout the world, recognizing conflict’s disproportionate impact on women and girls, and their unrealized potential for sustaining peace.  Some examples in Africa and Asia include:

• Women politicians trained in leadership skills and use of media.

• Women trained and supported (without partisanship) in election processes.

• Women mediators for peaceful settlement of election conflicts.

• Women convened for conferences on political empowerment.

• Women engaged as local and national leaders through economic training, participatory theater, peace forums and dialogues.